If you’ve ever had a “just take a shower” moment spiral into a full blown breakdown… this one’s for you.

In this episode of Safely Divergent, Kirstie and Eleanor dig into the very real reasons hygiene can feel like an uphill battle—especially for neurodivergent folks.

They unpack a listener’s heartfelt question about parenting around hygiene resistance, and get honest about their own experiences (including the infamous travel shampoo bottle that lasted three months). You’ll hear why hygiene is often less about willpower and more about sensory processing, executive functioning, emotional state, and past experiences—and how to make room for validation, accommodations, and self-compassion.

And yes, they manage to tie it all together with a delightfully unhinged history of toothpaste. Spoiler: people used to brush their teeth with bones, bricks, and… urine?

🕒 Timestamps
00:01 – Grounding, iced coffee, and what makes hygiene so complicated / 3:00 – A listener letter and why neurodivergent hygiene isn’t just about motivation / 07:00 – Sensory, executive function, emotional overwhelm & social pressure / 22:30 – Validation, building your “why,” and making small sustainable shifts / 26:40 – ⚡ Scattered corner: A truly cursed history of toothpaste

Resources & Mentions:
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Read the blog: safelydivergent.com
Cover art: Honor Heindel
Music by Obey Grey